The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District recently unveiled this year’s focus of the Geauga County Big Tree Contest and is currently seeking nominations.

This contest seeks to promote the beauty and benefits provided by the county’s biggest and oldest trees, along with their contributions to clean water and healthy soil, according to a news release.

The 2023 featured tree species is the Shagbark Hickory.

With eye-catching shaggy strips that curl and peel off the trunk, the bark is one of the most distinct in North America making the Shagbark Hickory easy to identify year-round, the release noted. In addition, this shaggy bark provides shelter for bats, butterflies, and insects.

These slow-growing native trees reach an average height of 60 to 80 feet and they are frequently found in dry uplands or moist valleys in association with other hickories and oaks.

The exceptional strength of their cut timber is prized for making tool handles, athletic equipment, furniture, firewood, and chips for smoking meats, the release stated. A member of the walnut family, the Shagbark Hickory produces edible nuts which are eaten by squirrels, mice, wood ducks, wild turkeys, cardinals, and foxes, to name a few.

The leaves are compound with typically 5 leaflets, which turn a rich golden mustard-brown color in the fall.

Participants will submit a nomination for a Shagbark Hickory which they believe might be the largest in the county.  After all nominations are submitted, qualified personnel will verify the measurements using the ODNR Division of Forestry’s Champion Trees Program procedures, according to the release.

Each tree will receive a score based on trunk circumference, crown spread, and total height to determine the winner. In addition, the district will consider each tree’s ability to capture stormwater along with other economic benefits.

For example, one Shagbark Hickory with a diameter of 45 inches can absorb as much as 6,213 gallons of stormwater runoff each year.

The objectives of this contest are: To engage residents in the management and enhancement of the county’s tree populations; to showcase the critical roles that trees play in sustaining healthy soil and clean water; and to recognize that each healthy tree in the county reduces flooding and improves water quality.

Big Tree Contest Guidelines:

• Nominated trees must be Shagbark Hickories located in Geauga County.

• Only one nomination per individual tree. The first nomination received will be the official entry.

• The tree does not have to be on the property of the nominator; however, permission from the landowner must be obtained prior to nomination.

• Nominations must be submitted to Geauga SWCD no later than Sept. 8. Email to gprunty@geauga.oh.gov or submit in person or through the mail to the Geauga SWCD, 12611 Ravenwood Drive Suite 240, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Qualified District personnel will verify all nominated tree measurements and use the national tree benefit calculator to provide the stormwater runoff reduction capability. The decision of the District will be final.

Geauga County’s Biggest Tree will be recognized and awarded at the district’s Annual Meeting in the fall. If on public land, the biggest tree on private land will also be recognized.

Those with questions can contact geaugaswcd.com, 440-834-1122, or gprunty@geauga.oh.gov.